Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program governance by expanding the State Health Benefits Commission to 11 members and eliminating the previous Plan Design Committee. It requires the program to offer exactly five health plans for employees and non-Medicare-eligible retirees, including a new "NJ Gold" plan that doesn't require salary-based employee contributions. The bill establishes an escalator system to adjust employee contribution rates based on premium cost trends, increasing rates if premiums rise significantly above inflation and decreasing them if premiums fall. Additionally, it mandates that local government employers must decide within one year whether to join the SHBP, with a two-year commitment if they choose to participate.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for members and retirees of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows for a two-year filing period after the bill's effective date (with potential two-year extensions) and replaces the requirement for a pre-employment physical examination with evidence of medical examinations that failed to disclose qualifying health conditions. The bill also permits retirees previously denied due to late filing to petition for reconsideration or resubmit their eligibility forms. Retirement systems must notify all affected members within 60 days of enactment about these provisions using clear language explaining filing requirements and time limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a permanent annual $500,000 allocation from New Jersey's Clean Communities Program Fund to fund public outreach for the state's single-use plastics reduction program. The funding supports the Department of Environmental Protection's outreach efforts, including educational campaigns and a bag redistribution program that repurposes reusable bags for food banks and pantries. The bill changes current law, which limited this funding to the first three years after the 2020 single-use plastics ban law, making it permanent. This directly affects the DEP's outreach activities and the public receiving information about reducing plastic use.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for fiscal year 2026 to provide zero-interest and principal-forgiveness loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects. It directly affects municipalities and water utilities that need financing for clean water projects (like combined sewer overflow reduction and water quality restoration) and drinking water projects, with specific funding limits based on project type and affordability criteria. The bill includes detailed lists of 151 qualifying clean water projects totaling $1.7 billion and 59 drinking water projects totaling $652 million, all intended to meet federal requirements under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. The loans may offer full principal forgiveness for eligible projects or a blended interest rate based on project costs and borrower affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide parents or guardians of special education students with a hard copy of a draft Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a list of excused IEP team members at least two business days before annual IEP meetings. The draft IEP must clearly state "DRAFT" on every page, and the notice must explain that proposed programs/services are preliminary and invite parent input. It directly affects parents of students with IEPs, ensuring they have sufficient time to review recommendations before meetings. The bill aims to improve parent engagement by standardizing advance notice of draft IEPs, aligning with existing federal and state requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3052) expands academic flexibility for New Jersey public college students who are active-duty service members or their dependents (spouses/children) unable to finish a course due to unplanned military obligations like deployment. It changes the attendance threshold from 8 weeks to 55% of a course’s duration to qualify for grade options, adding temporary grades and online course transfers as choices. Students who complete 55% of a course can select a letter grade, pass/fail, incomplete, withdrawal, or online transfer (with approval), while those under 55% can choose incomplete or withdrawal. It also clarifies that pass/fail grades can later be converted to letter grades within a year by completing missed work, and ensures full tuition refunds for withdrawals. The law applies to all public institutions of higher education in New Jersey and takes effect immediately for the next academic year.

Maddy summaryS 4476 permits New Jersey school boards to award preschool education service contracts (for licensed childcare providers or Head Start programs receiving state preschool aid) without public bidding, using a board resolution instead. It extends the maximum contract term for these services from 24 months to three years. This change applies only to preschool programs funded through state preschool education aid, simplifying the contracting process for early childhood education providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new process for dividing family-owned property when multiple owners inherited shares from relatives. It applies to real estate held in tenancy in common where at least 20% of ownership is tied to family relationships. The key change requires courts to first appoint a special master to determine fair market value, then offer other owners the chance to buy out those seeking to sell before forcing a sale or division. This replaces the standard court-ordered sale process for qualifying "heirs property," aiming to preserve family ownership through a structured buyout option.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1439 requires health insurance plans (including hospital, medical, health service, and individual policies) to cover orthotic and prosthetic appliances from licensed providers - including podiatrists - when medically necessary for daily activities. It also mandates coverage for *additional* appliances needed for specific sports and recreational activities like running, swimming, skiing, and team sports, as determined by a physician. Insurance plans must reimburse at the same rate as federal Medicare for these appliances. This applies to all relevant health insurance contracts in New Jersey, directly affecting insured individuals needing these devices for mobility or recreation.

Maddy summaryS 4162 limits how New Jersey public and charter schools can use or share personal information from waiver forms students or parents submit to avoid completing financial aid applications for high school diplomas. The bill requires waiver forms to collect only minimal contact details (name, phone, email, date, and signature) and prohibits schools from disclosing this information without consent, in line with federal student privacy laws like FERPA. Schools must include clear disclosure notices on all waiver forms, whether created by the Department of Education or the school. This applies to students in the 2023-2024 grade 11 class through the 2025-2026 school year, and covers waivers submitted before the bill's effective date.